Each month I will list a new book(s) that I would encourage you to read at home with your child. Reading at home is the best way to develop fluency and comprehension. Reading together is a wonderful way to spend time together, as well as model phrasing. intonation and questioning strategies that will further develop comprehension.
September's book recommendation:
The Year of Billy Miller
Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces
second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship,
sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller was
named a 2014 Newbery Honor book by the American Library Association. The
Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is
perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and
the Clementine series.
When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the
end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to
start second grade, with a lump on your head! As the year goes by, though, Billy
figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little
sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a
help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad. Newbery Honor author and
Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying,
laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework
assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper
tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.
September's book recommendation:
The Year of Billy Miller
Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces
second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship,
sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller was
named a 2014 Newbery Honor book by the American Library Association. The
Year of Billy Miller includes black-and-white art by Kevin Henkes and is
perfect for fans of the Ramona books; Frindle, by Andrew Clements; and
the Clementine series.
When Billy Miller has a mishap at the statue of the Jolly Green Giant at the
end of summer vacation, he ends up with a big lump on his head. What a way to
start second grade, with a lump on your head! As the year goes by, though, Billy
figures out how to navigate elementary school, how to appreciate his little
sister, and how to be a more grown up and responsible member of the family and a
help to his busy working mom and stay-at-home dad. Newbery Honor author and
Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes delivers a short, satisfying,
laugh-out-loud-funny school and family story that features a diorama homework
assignment, a school poetry slam, cancelled sleepovers, and epic sibling temper
tantrums. This is a perfect short novel for the early elementary grades.
October's Recommended Reading:
Flat Stanley
By: Jeff Brown
Flat Stanley
By: Jeff Brown
Amazon Review:
Join Flat Stanley and the rest of the Lambchop family on the adventure that started it all!
Kids love Flat Stanley—even reluctant readers. And for parents and teachers, each Flat Stanley book delivers multicultural adventure, plot and character development story elements, and compare and contrast.
When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick! Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he's a hero.
November's
Book Pick:
Flora and Ulysses
By: Kate DiCamillo
From Booklist *Starred Review* The story begins with a vacuum cleaner. And a squirrel. Or, to be more precise, a squirrel who gets sucked into a Ulysses Super Suction wielded by Flora’s neighbor, Mrs. Tickham. The rather hairless squirrel that is spit out is not the same one that went in. That squirrel had only one thought: “I’m hungry.” After Flora performs CPR, the rescued squirrel, newly named Ulysses, is still hungry, but now he has many thoughts in his head. Foremost is his consideration of Flora’s suggestion that perhaps he is a superhero like The Amazing Incandesto, whose comic-book adventures Flora read with her father. (Drawing on comic-strip elements, Campbell’s illustrations here work wonderfully well.) Since Flora’s father and mother have split up, Flora has become a confirmed and defiant cynic. Yet it is hard to remain a cynic while one’s heart is opening to a squirrel who can type (“Squirtl. I am . . . born anew”), who can fly, and who adores Flora. Newbery winner DiCamillo is a master storyteller, and not just because she creates characters who dance off the pages and plots, whether epic or small, that never fail to engage and delight readers. Her biggest strength is exposing the truths that open and heal the human heart. She believes in possibilities and forgiveness and teaches her audience that the salt of life can be cut with the right measure of love. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: DiCamillo has a devoted following, plus this book has an extensive marketing campaign. That equals demand. Grades 3-6. --Ilene Cooper
December's Book Pick:
Stink:The Incredible Shrinking Kid
By: Megan McDonald
Amazon.com Review
Shrink, shrank, shrunk!
Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink and it's always the same: three feet, eight inches tall. Stink feels like even the class newt is growing faster than he is. Then, one day, the ruler reads — can it be? — three feet, seven and three quarters inches! Is Stink shrinking? He tries everything to look like he’s growing, but wearing up-and-down stripes and spiking his hair aren't fooling anyone into thinking he's taller. If only he could ask James Madison — Stink's hero, and the shortest person ever to serve as president of the United States.
In Stink's first solo adventure, his special style comes through loud and strong — enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the book. From "The Adventures of Stink in SHRINK MONSTER" to "The Adventures of Stink in NEWT IN SHINING ARMOR," these very funny, homespun sagas reflect the familiar voice of a kid who pictures himself with super powers to deal with the travails of everyday life — including the occasional teasing of a bossy big sister!
Stink:The Incredible Shrinking Kid
By: Megan McDonald
Amazon.com Review
Shrink, shrank, shrunk!
Every morning, Judy Moody measures Stink and it's always the same: three feet, eight inches tall. Stink feels like even the class newt is growing faster than he is. Then, one day, the ruler reads — can it be? — three feet, seven and three quarters inches! Is Stink shrinking? He tries everything to look like he’s growing, but wearing up-and-down stripes and spiking his hair aren't fooling anyone into thinking he's taller. If only he could ask James Madison — Stink's hero, and the shortest person ever to serve as president of the United States.
In Stink's first solo adventure, his special style comes through loud and strong — enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the book. From "The Adventures of Stink in SHRINK MONSTER" to "The Adventures of Stink in NEWT IN SHINING ARMOR," these very funny, homespun sagas reflect the familiar voice of a kid who pictures himself with super powers to deal with the travails of everyday life — including the occasional teasing of a bossy big sister!
January's Book Pick:
Dory Fantasmagory
By: Abby Hanlon
Amazon Review:
As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But she’s too much of a baby for them, so she’s left to her own devices—including her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sister’s favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.
With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious book about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.
Dory Fantasmagory
By: Abby Hanlon
Amazon Review:
As the youngest in her family, Dory really wants attention, and more than anything she wants her brother and sister to play with her. But she’s too much of a baby for them, so she’s left to her own devices—including her wild imagination and untiring energy. Her siblings may roll their eyes at her childish games, but Dory has lots of things to do: outsmarting the monsters all over the house, escaping from prison (aka time-out), and exacting revenge on her sister’s favorite doll. And when they really need her, daring Dory will prove her bravery, and finally get exactly what she has been looking for.
With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious book about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.
February's Book Pick:
Ellray Jakes is NOT a Chicken! (series)
By: Sally Warner
Amazon.com Review
EllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: If he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two very different things.
March's Book Pick:
Friendship According to Humphrey
By: Betty G. Birney
Amazon.com Review:
After the holidays, Humphrey is shocked by a big surprise in Room 26-a new class pet! Humphrey tries to be welcoming, but Og the frog doesn't respond to any of his friendly squeaks or visits (remember, he has a lock-that-doesn't-lock). Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether. Humphrey doesn't like the mad-bad-sad feelings he's had since Og came, but luckily he still gets to have adventures with different kids on the weekends. Friendship can be tricky, but Humphrey is an intrepid problem-solver. If any hamster can become buddies with a frog, he can.
Look for all twelve of Humphrey's adventures!
Friendship According to Humphrey
By: Betty G. Birney
Amazon.com Review:
After the holidays, Humphrey is shocked by a big surprise in Room 26-a new class pet! Humphrey tries to be welcoming, but Og the frog doesn't respond to any of his friendly squeaks or visits (remember, he has a lock-that-doesn't-lock). Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether. Humphrey doesn't like the mad-bad-sad feelings he's had since Og came, but luckily he still gets to have adventures with different kids on the weekends. Friendship can be tricky, but Humphrey is an intrepid problem-solver. If any hamster can become buddies with a frog, he can.
Look for all twelve of Humphrey's adventures!
April's Book Pick:
Jada Jones
By: Gordon Korman
Amazon Review:
When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada's teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she's in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn't seem to like any of Jada's ideas. She doesn't seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?
The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
Jada Jones
By: Gordon Korman
Amazon Review:
When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add to her collection, since finding rocks is much easier than finding friends. So when Jada's teacher announces a class project on rocks and minerals, Jada finally feels like she's in her element. The only problem: one of her teammates doesn't seem to like any of Jada's ideas. She doesn't seem to like Jada all that much, either. Can Jada figure out a way to make a winning science project and a new friend?
The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.
May's Book Pick:
Hate That Cat
By: Sharon Creech (The same author as Love That Dog.)
From School Library Journal
Grade 4–8—In this worthy sequel to Love That Dog (HarperCollins, 2001), Jack is once again in Miss Stretchberry's class, developing his poetry composition skills and learning from the masters. His Uncle Bill disparages the free-verse form and mundane subjects, stressing the importance of metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and LARGE moments. But Jack works his way into these concepts by means of Miss S's introduction to the work of Edgar Allan Poe, T. S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams, Valerie Worth, and Walter Dean and Chris Myers, and her constant encouragement of his own attempts. Jack, still healing from the loss of his dog, resists getting a new pet and despises an aloof neighborhood black cat with which he has an unpleasant run-in. He also grapples with putting into words his feelings about his mother, who is deaf, a fact that is slowly and deftly revealed in his poems. When the Christmas-present kitten he has learned to love disappears, Jack grieves anew, until the despised black cat saves the day. Once again, all of the poems are addressed to Miss Stretchberry, and Jack's growing excitement as he discovers the delights of sound ("Tintinnabulation!") and expression is palpable. He also learns the poetry of silence as he and his mother communicate through sign language and tender gestures. The relevant poems are included at the end of the book, along with a hefty bibliography of "Books on the Class Poetry Shelf." Readers will be touched and inspired once more.—Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition
Summer Reading
The WHO WAS and WHAT Was book series are biographies and informational text that is high interest, while highlighting famous people and places from both the past and present. Fantastic book series that encompasses many topics!
Geronimo Stilton is another wonderful series books. This is about a mouse detective who has exciting, and humorous adventures. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love!
In this book, Geronimo is off to Egypt! He climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take him across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, he learns the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World.
Another series related to Geronimo Stilton is the Thea Stilton series, which is written about Geronimo's mouse cousin, Thea.
In this book, Geronimo is off to Egypt! He climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take him across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, he learns the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World.
Another series related to Geronimo Stilton is the Thea Stilton series, which is written about Geronimo's mouse cousin, Thea.